SAGE DAYS 9: Mathematical Graphics and Visualization Workshop

Target Audience
The workshop is aimed at graduate students and advanced undergraduates in mathematics and related fields. We shall accept applicants from all over the world, but give priority to those based in North America.
Programming experience will help, but is not required. Skills taught in the workshop will be valuable to those in nearly all fields of mathematics.

Rationale
Mathematical concepts are often most effectively communicated by images. Nowadays, everybody has the technical means available to produce professional quality graphics to help in the exposition of research, but the skills necessary to produce great graphics are not easy to come by. In this workshop, you will learn the basic skills necessary to produce professional quality visualization of mathematical concepts.

Programme
Good graphics requires skill in both mathematics and computer programming. Our primary graphics tools will be based on the programming language Python, and interaction with the computer algebra system SAGE.
The program will include lectures and computer labs. Students will work on projects chosen by them and make presentations at the end of the workshop.

Computing Equipment
You will spend a large part of the workshop working on computers. We have a number of workstations available, but we shall not be able to provide everybody with a workstation. You are encouraged to bring a laptop with wireless networking capability and a modern web browser (such as Firefox 2.0) installed.

Funding
Participants will be housed on campus in SFU student dorms at no cost to the participant. We will also provide a per diem to help cover local costs.
We have funds available to cover some travel costs, but not enough to cover everyone's. We expect most participants to find their own source. If you need them to be covered, please explain in your application.

Applications
You can apply online by clicking here.

A complete application consists of:
Your contact information and background
A short description of one or two projects that you might like to work on during the workshop
A reference from your supervisor. This can be submitted online as well. See the application form.
We should receive your application by April 15, 2008. Late applications are at a disadvantage. You will hear by April 30, 2008 if your application is accepted. If it is, you will receive instructions to register for the event.

Location

The IRMACS Centre at
Simon Fraser University,
Burnaby (Greater Vancouver), British Columbia
CANADA

Simon Fraser University is situated on top of a 300m hill in Burnaby, BC (part of Greater Vancouver), overlooking a fjord called the Burrard Inlet. It is a very compact campus surrounded by parkland, with accommodation and lecture halls all within easy walking distance. A selection of restaurants and shops is available on campus and there are easy and frequent bus connections to the city centre.

The lectures and computer labs will take place at the IRMACS Centre. A map is available.

Participants will be housed in SFU Guest Accommodations.

About the sponsors

This event is only possible thanks to the generous contributions of various organizations.

MITACS, as part of their administration of the ACCELERATE BC program, is the main financial sponsor. In addition, they provide administrative and organizational support.

PIMS and SFU (Department of Mathematics and VP Academic) generously provide additional financial support.

The IRMACS Centre generously provides facilities and Technical support.

• The ACCELERATE BC program is administered by MITACS as part of their Internship program.
• MITACS is part of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence.
• PIMS is the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.
• Simon Fraser University is one of the three major universities in British Columbia.
• The IRMACS Centre is a facility located at SFU.